Dean of Students and Belonging - University of Redlands : Job Details

DEPARTMENT/ADMINISTRATION: Division of Student Affairs POSITION: Admin, Exempt, 12-month position SALARY RANGE: $120,000- $150,000HIRING RANGE: Anticipated hiring range is near or at the minimum of the classification, commensurate with candidate's education, experience, skills, and training. INTRODUCTORY PERIOD: 6 Months AVAILABLE: Immediately BENEFITS OVERVIEW:BROCHURE POSTING DATE: July 15, 2025 APPLICATION DEADLINE: Open Until Filled, Apply Immediately Definition of Classification: The Dean of Students and Belonging (DSB) reports to the Vice President for Student Affairs and leads key priorities rooted in Transformational Student Experience, Student Success, and Cultivating Community. This role provides strategic oversight for Residence Life, Student Wellbeing, Counseling, Inclusion and Community, Community Standards, and CARE. The DSB champions student advocacy, crisis response, retention, and inclusive engagement, while driving data-informed services and building collaborative partnerships across campus to enhance student belonging, learning, and holistic success within a vibrant, residential liberal arts and graduate university environment. Duties and Responsibilities: The duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following: Leadership, Strategic Direction, Resource Management & Operational Oversight:

• Provides direct supervision, hiring, training and evaluation of leaders responsible for a broad portfolio of key student support, comprehensive services and programs: Residence Life and Housing, Student Wellbeing, Counseling Center, Office of Inclusion and Community, Community Standards, and the CARE team (including case management and basic needs support).
• Lead and develop a comprehensive vision and strategic planning for the enhancement of coordinated key functional areas that center the student experience as a champion for student success, retention, care and advocacy, holistic student wellbeing support and agenda, safety, rights and responsibilities, fostering a campus living-learning environment of inclusion and belonging, sustained dialogue across difference, civility, and driving meaningful data-informed student experience impact outcomes.
• Provide strategic leadership for direct reports and areas: strategic planning, policy review and development, formulation and execution of budgetary (including gift and grant funding), responsible business plan financial management, effective use of resources, staff management and development, accountability, fundraising and grant seeking efforts, and area administration
• Serve as a member of the student affairs senior leadership team
• Develops and continuously improves strategies, objectives, and empowers team capability to provide best practices and high-quality support to the evolving needs of students campus wide.
• Design, implement, track, and execute deliverables to achieve the University and Division of Student Affairs strategic priorities and mission, WSCUC accreditation support, including, but not limited to, co-leadership of the Bulldog Pathways Program, and signature events and programs
• Oversee area's active engagement in divisional tracking of student engagement, development and assessment of student learning, high impact practices, and measuring outcomes to deliver seamless student retention-focused proactive and responsive triangulated data analysis informed services, programs, interventions, divisional and area improvement pivots, and reports in support of student success and retention through graduation.
• Effectively lead innovative change and empowerment-based management centering the advancement of high impact best practices; holistic student wellbeing initiatives; advancing the residential living-learning student experience; bolstering peer-based education high impact practices; enhancing meaningful student mentoring opportunities; conflict resolution, restorative justice, and sustained dialogue community training and personalized coaching; and centering student sense of belonging, care and inclusion grounded in student success, skill development, and career readiness, contributing to the execution of divisional priority pillars: Transformational Student Experience, Student Success, and Cultivating Community.
• Assist the VPSA by providing reports, preparing analytical studies, and drafting, recommending, and administering policies, while serving as an advocate for a thriving student experience and success.
• Regularly attend the Student Diversity-Led club and organization meetings, providing mentorship, leadership development, training, programming support, and celebrating student community impact.
• Co-leads division-wide assessment efforts to ensure learning outcomes are achieved as well as quality student experience services.
• Chair of the Student Recognition and Celebratory Events and Programs Committee.
• Provide divisional leadership in the absence of the Vice President for Student Affairs, and represent the VPSA on committees, task forces, working groups, as requested by the VPSA.
• Support campuswide and divisional signature events and programs planning and implementation (e.g. new student orientation, residential move-in, Summer Bridge, Admitted Students Day, Homecoming, voter registration).
• Perform related work as required and other duties as assigned.

Student Support, Advocacy, Wellbeing, Belonging, and Crisis Management:

• Chairs, trains, and guides the cross-functional CARE team and referral sources in support of successful planning, care, and retention-based interventions for students of concern referrals involving behavioral incidents and pressing concerns impacting holistic student success, wellbeing and retention, including but not limited to, student conduct issues, behavioral, threat, or safety concerns, and physical/mental health concerns. Collaborates with, integrates, and supports systemwide CARE team members and case management, as necessary, and will serve as a member of the campus Behavior Intervention Team.
• Conducts data analysis and reports of CARE Team trends to inform proactive and responsive support and student retention measures, develops and promotes community education on support resources
• Responsible for leading and coordinating student care, crisis and situational response, emergency response, critical incident procedures, student misconduct posing a threat or danger to persons or property, student medical and involuntary withdrawal and return process, student death protocol, overall oversight of student affairs on-call team and procedures, and maintaining, updating, and training divisional staff related Division of Student Affairs procedures, including but not limited to, CARE Team protocols, and related care communications outreach, including leading partnership with united systemwide CARE team integration (including policies and procedures).
• Stays proactively current on emerging campus, local, regional, state, national and global trends, issues, climate concerns, and flashpoint impacts to student campus life.
• Collaborates across University lines systemwide to develop policies, protocols, and support resources to address a wide range of student needs and concerns. This includes, but is not limited to, support for student and organizational conduct, safety, wellbeing, campus climate concerns, and community issues.
• Leads oversight of the implementation, education and training on the student free expression policy, and related student support, advocacy, and community resources.
• Supports crisis management area for units as it relates to students of concern, freedom of expression, and demonstrations, campus climate concerns support, civic and social engagement and advocacy, in collaboration with students and key University partners.
• Advises the VPSA and other University campus partners on student welfare, growth, and development; co-curricular learning; and student access, retention and success.
• Serve as a visible and accessible campus leader, advocating for student persistence and self-advocacy, and cultivating a strong sense of community and belonging.
• Serve as a primary liaison and key resource for student advocacy, welfare, basic needs, crisis, emergencies, resolution of concerns or grievances and will collaborate with students, campus departments and partners, parents/family, staff, and faculty to address student needs effectively.
• Collaborate with University partners to identify and secure external resources funding to support area and divisional student priority needs.
• Serves in the on-call student affairs duty rotation and is responsible for leadership and guidance to on-call staff in high level crisis or situational matters in partnership with campus response partners, while keeping the VPSA informed and seeking consultation as necessary.

Compliance, Policy Development, and Implementation:

• Serve as a subject matter expert and institutional advisor on matters related to student belonging, advocacy and success, crisis management, student wellbeing, care and support services, relevant regulatory, and compliance policies, issues or concerns.
• Responsible for the annual review and publication of the student handbook, and student campus and community resource guide, and partnering with the Dean of Student Campus Life to review the student club and organization manual in collective support of a joyful student experience, the promotion of responsible student conduct, wellbeing, and a caring community.
• Support, administer, and uphold campus policies and procedures, ensuring fairness and alignment with institutional values and regulatory compliance, including serving as a designated appellate authority to the VPSA as needed.
• Serve as an administrative hearing officer as needed to support caseload needs and co-advise and train the University Appeals Board.
• Facilitate communication to promote transparency and maintain cooperative working relationships with various departments on and off campus, including but not limited to Academic Affairs, Public Safety, Title IX Coordinator, General Counsel, Greek Life, Student Campus Life, Athletics, Residence Life and Housing, and systemwide partners.
• Mediate conflicts and disputes involving students to promote resolution and understanding.
• Support the development and implementation of restorative justice practices within the campus culture and student conduct process, focusing on repairing harm and restoring community relationships and encouraging accountability, empathy, reconciliation, and promoting a community-centered approach to addressing student and organizational misconduct when appropriate.
• Provide oversight in ensuring the Division of Student Affairs collaborates with Public Safety, Title IX and Risk Management to support compliance with the production of the annual Clery report, priority planning, case summary statistics, support Transparency Act reporting, and hazing related education, training and reporting and data analysis to inform enhanced student safety, education, intervention, and wellbeing measures
• Co-leads the institutional Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act compliance and Biennial Review report development, analysis, education and campus improvements.

Related/Preferred/Education and Experience:

• Master's degree in higher education leadership, higher education administration, student affairs, or related field is required; terminal degree preferred (Ed.D., J.D. or Ph.D.)
• Minimum of ten years of progressive professional leadership experience in a student affairs or student services unit in a college or university environment, with demonstrated progressive experience working with college students; successful leadership and supervision of diverse professional staff and team; budget management, operational and political acumen; serving as an actively engaged, student-centered and results-driven champion for student belonging, inclusion, wellbeing, development, and success; strong knowledge of student conduct, legal, and compliance requirements; overseeing complex initiatives, crisis, situational, free expression, and campus climate incident management; student care and advocacy; and contributing to strategic decision-making at a senior level.
• Experience meaningfully engaging with, mentoring, and advising students.
• Deep understanding of student development theory, high impact practices, student holistic support strategies, cultural competence, and student retention theory.
• Strong understanding and commitment to the value of the undergraduate residential liberal arts, professional and graduate student experience
• Experience developing, interpreting, and explaining policies and procedures to lead, guide and support critical area and divisional operations, including University, federal, and state guidelines and regulations.
• The ability to manage change, navigate crisis, conflict resolution, mediation, and implement programs and initiatives that foster student success, inclusion, belonging, care, and community engagement.
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships, lead cross-functional teams, and collaborate across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Excellent communication, superior interpersonal skills, problem-solving, sound judgment, decision-making skills, and the ability to use tact and exercise a high level of discretion and unquestionable standards of confidentiality when dealing with confidential and sensitive matters.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion, and belonging of all students, and supporting diverse student populations including, but not limited to, underrepresented, first generation, low income, neurodivergent, commuter, transfer, graduate, adult learners, former foster youth, and at-risk student populations.
• Experience leading change management, motivating and partnering with staff, and students to successfully establish new programs and initiatives to provide students with a high quality, joyful, and transformational student experience.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies:

• Doctoral degree in higher education leadership, student affairs administration, Juris Doctorate, or related field
• Ten years of progressively responsible professional experience in higher education in student affairs administration or related field, including responsibility for planning, policy, program development and implementation, and managing budgets, at the director level (or equivalent) for a student affairs or student services unit in higher education.
• Experience facilitating and engaging University students in trauma-informed restorative justice, mediation, and/or sustained dialogue across difference grounded in transformational community impact, healing, belonging, education and skill development.
• Experience enhancing the university experience for a diverse student population
• Experience working with at risk populations and maximizing their access to higher education and developing student affairs retention strategies and services
• Experience working closely with and maintaining strong positive relationships with the full range of internal and external constituents
• Experience assessing programs, conducting data analysis, and implementing data-informed improvements to enhance high quality and transformational student experience, retention, and success.
• Must possess computer knowledge and skills and be able to utilize word process, email, internet, calendar and database programs.
• Ability to manage high attention to detail, multitasking competing priorities, and balancing time demands well.

Physical Requirements/Working Conditions: Working Conditions: Standard office and field setting. Duties performed are primarily in an office environment while sitting at a desk or computer workstation or in meetings. At least minimal environmental controls to assure health and comfort. Physical Demands: Incumbents regularly sit for long periods; walk short distances on a regular basis; travel to various locations to attend meetings and conduct work; use hands and fingers to operate an electronic keyboard or other office machines; reach with hands and arms; stoop or kneel or crouch to file; speak clearly and distinctly to answer telephones and to provide information; see to read fine print and operate computer; hear and understand voices over telephone and in person; and lift, carry and/or move objects weighing up to 25 pounds. TO APPLY: A resume/CV and cover letter are required. In compliance with The Americans with Disabilities Act, if selected for the interview process and accommodations are needed, please call (909) ###-####. If you are unable to complete an application due to a disability, contact us at (909) ###-#### to ask for accommodation or an alternative application process. HIRING RANGE: Anticipated hiring range is near or at the minimum of the classification, commensurate with candidate's education, experience, skills, and training. The University of Redlands is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This range considers the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience. The full salary range for this position is defined as the Full Pay Range. The budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is defined as the Hiring Range. Placement within the Hiring Range is determined by internal equity, and relevant qualifications. BACKGROUND CHECK: Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. The University will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current employee who was conditionally offered the position. DRIVER'S LICENSE CHECK: Possession of a valid Driver's License is required for certain positions. Employees in positions that require a valid Driver's License will be enrolled in the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Government Employer Pull Notice Program which confirms possession of a valid driver's license and reflects driving record. PHYSICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL EXAMS: For certain positions typically in Public Safety, Facilities, Athletics and Information Technology Services departments, employment is contingent upon a candidate passing a pre-employment physical exam with the ability to lift in excess of 50 lbs. Public Safety Officers, in addition to a pre-employment physical exam, will also be required to pass a psychological evaluation. FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT Human Resources (redlands.edu) SUBMISSION OF A RESUME OR APPLICATION INDICATES AGREEMENT THAT THE UNIVERSITY MAY VERIFY ANY AND ALL INFORMATION CONTAINED THEREIN.MEMBERS OF UNDERREPRESENTED GROUPS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.